40/09

Public Question Time (1) - Standing Order 22 refers

None

41/09

Apologies and Reasons for Absence

Cllr C Hancock (Personal), Cllr N Blades (Personal) and Cllr D Cotton (Personal) also Cllr Mavis Lady Dunrossill (County) and PCSO B Stagg.

42/09

Acceptance and signing of Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday, 24 February 2009

Unanimously RESOLVED to confirm the Minutes as a true and accurate record and were signed by the Chairman.

43/09

Declaration of Interests

None

44/09

To Discuss any Matters Arising from the above Minutes not included on the Agenda

None

45/09

Northleach Youth Club

Action:

Report from Helen Jones, Team Leader, Children’s and Young People’s Directorate, GCC

Helen Jones introduced herself and updated Members on the recent meeting with youth leaders in the Town and the Youth Club trustees.  She explained that the Youth Club building was no longer viable and that the Trustees are now looking at alternative options for the building.  Street work that has been carried out since Club closed is according to Helen is proving very successful and incidents of anti social behaviour have dropped off completely.  The Youth mobile unit will be coming to Northleach to give the young people a base as other community buildings in the town are unlikely to fulfil this role.  The Youth Club building is still insured and the computer equipment has been moved to storage at the Westwoods Centre.  Helen added that the youngsters are keen to set up a Youth Forum or Council and the Clerk was asked to circulate Helen’s contact details to Members.

46/09

District  and County Councillors’ Reports

Report from Councillor Mark Tufnell (District)

Cllr Tufnell drew Members attention to the Licensing applications detailed on the Planning schedule and explained the new policy on CDC owned trees.  He also explained that CDC is working with West Oxfordshire District Council, sharing a CEO and will also be looking to share Legal and Building Control Officers in the near future.

In reply to questions Cllr Tufnell advised:  CDC is investigating joint working with Cheltenham and Tewksbury Boroughs to share waste collection and already works jointly with Tewkesbury on Elections and with Stroud District on parking.   He added that Cotswold has other common issues with West Oxfordshire.   He confirmed that:

·       The issue of the light in the ladies toilets had been reported to CDC Officers.

·       The Clock at Old Prison is likely to cost £2-3,000 to repair and although it would be nice to have it working it was not a priority.

·       If the Council wish to see the Fire sign at the Fire Station removed a letter should be sent to Cllr Mavis Lady Dunrossill together with enquiries regarding the resurfacing of the Fire Station car park.

47/09

Co-Option to Fill the Vacancies for Councillor

There were no expressions of interest to be considered.

48/09

Police Report

Sgt Martin Jones reported that:

·        Only 1 crime had been reported since last month – theft of a car.

·        A 9 year old boy had been knocked over and efforts are still being made to trace the driver.

·        Cooks / Meadow Court – complaints have been received about parking and PCSO Stagg will be meeting with Highways to address the problem.  It appears to be part of the footway but the ‘No Parking’ sign is not mandatory and CDC will not take action but a long term solution is being sought. 

·        The Chief Constable has been visiting the force to update them on the budgetary constraints which are resulting in the loss of Police Officers.  It is intended that this will be achieved through natural wastage although some civilian staff may be lost.    PSCO Stagg has been confirmed in post. 

49/09.

Finance

49.1/09

Report from the Chairman of the Finance Committee

Cllr Mrs Lawrence advised that the Finance Committee meeting had been postponed due to holidays and pressure of work.

49.2/09

Letter from Northleach Charter Fair (2008) Organisers and Contribution to the Council’s Donation Fund

Noted.  Members expressed their thanks to the Fair Organisers for this additional funding for community groups.

49.3/09

Re-Payment of Seed Capital for Re-Useable Bag Project from Northleach School Association

Noted.  Members also expressed their thanks to the Association.

49.4/09

Action:

Maintenance of Northleach Town Sign and Associated Costs

This was delegated to the Finance Committee

49.5/09

Budget Status up to 28 February 2009

It was agreed to defer this until the year end figures are available.

49.6/09

To Approve Bills for Payment for March 2009

Proposed:  Cllr A Wellman and Seconded:  Cllr A Wellman and unanimously RESOLVED to pay.

50/09

Planning and Tree Works

50.1/09

Schedule of New Planning Applications, Applications Responded to and Decision Notices Received

Noted.

50.2/09

Report from the Chairman of the Planning Committee

Nothing to report.

50.3/09

Action:

Council’s Response to CDC’s Vision for Cotswold Market Towns and Settlement Strategy for Northleach

Noted.  Members were requested to email comments to the Clerk by 3 April and it was noted that the Primary School currently has 175 pupils.

51/09

Property and Premises Maintenance Committee

51.1/09

Report from the Chairman of the P&PM Committee

Nothing to report.

52/09

Westwoods Committee

52.1/09

Draft Minutes of the Westwoods Committee Meeting held on 16 March 2009

Noted.

52.2/09

Action:

Report from the Chairman of the Westwoods Committee

Cllr N Blades was not available.  The Clerk was requested to circulate the draft Westwoods brochure by email.

53/09

Northleach KGV Playing Field Clubhouse

53.1/09

Notes from the meeting with Kings George V Playing Field Users held on 11 March 2009

Noted.

54/09

Working Groups and Projects

54.1/09

Management Agreement with Fields in Trust for Mill End Allotments

It was unanimously RESOLVED to enter into a Management Agreement with Fields in Trust for the Mill End Allotments and the Agreement was signed by the Chairman.

54.2/09

Action:

Clerk’s Report on Other Current Projects

The Clerk advised that the full report would be available at the next meeting and, in the meantime, web hosting arrangements have been changed as well as the ISP.

55/09

Correspondence

55.1/09

Action:

Letter from Northleach & District Evergreen Club – Pavement Snow Clearing

Members agreed that snow clearing is not the Town Council’s responsibility but that the Club should be advised that the Council is looking to supply more grit bins.  These problems should also be considered by the Resilience planning group.

55.2/09

Action:

Email from Northleach & District Evergreen Club – Handrail on Path Between East End and Fallows Road

It was agreed to advise the Club that the Councils is aware of the problem and trying to resolve it.

56/09

Chairman’s Report

Noted.  Members expressed their thank s to Cllr Hancock and Clerk who had handled a potentially difficult situation with the closure of the Northleach Sports and Social Club very well and noted that positive comments have been received from residents of the Town.

57/09

Representatives on Other Bodies

57.1/09

Youth Club – Cllr Mrs J Pullin

On going.

57.2/09

Parochial Church Council – Cllr D Cotton and Cllr C Hancock

No one available.

57.3/09

Safer Cotswold and Community Crime Panel – Cllr Mrs J Pullin

Cllr Mrs Pullin advised that she had been unable to attend the resent meeting.

57.4/09

Northleach Primary School – Cllr C Hancock

No one available.

57.5/09

Neighbourhood Watch – Cllr D Cotton

No one available.  The Clerk was requested to contact the organiser, Andy Fogden for an up to date list of the Town’s Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators.

58/09

Any Other Business

Cllr Tufnell suggested that Mr Kevin Field, CDC’s Development Control Manager could be invited to address the Annual Town Meeting.

59/09.

Public Question Time (2) - Standing Order 22 refers

None.